Bord Bia has issued a call for applications for its latest Talent Academy programmes – which includes a masters, a bursary and guaranteed work experience.

The Irish food board says it is seeking “ambitious executives keen to accelerate their career in Ireland’s food and drink industry”.

20 places are available across its Origin Green Ambassador and Supply Chain and Account Management Programmes.

Each offers a fully funded masters at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, a tax-free bursary (€28,000 – €30,000) plus guaranteed work experience with global brands.

The closing date for both programmes is Friday, May 14, 2021.

Programmes

The full-time programmes – lasting 18 months and 23 months in duration – offer a “combination of real-world and academic learning, blending block release modules and continuous project work”.

The ideal candidates will have a minimum of three years’ work experience, though not necessarily within the food industry itself.

“We are really looking for people with a keen interest in the retail or food industry, people who are ambitious for themselves and for the industry,” said Michael Murphy, organisation and industry talent director with Bord Bia.

Murphy said the programmes “address two of the most topical and critically important areas” for the development of Ireland’s food and drink industry at home and abroad, adding: 

“Whether it’s the reliability of supply or the ethical sourcing of ingredients, the supply chain is under increased focus as we all become more curious and cautious about where our food comes from.

“Likewise, business sustainability has never been more important for Ireland’s emerging and growing food companies.”

Bord Bia Talent Academy

The Bord Bia Talent Academy was established to help identify and develop future leaders for Ireland’s hugely successful food and drink industry.

It comprises five programmes, some of which have been running for over 10 years, which focus on nurturing executives in areas of sales, marketing, consumer insights and innovation, as well as business sustainability and supply chain and account management.